Wife of US V-P Vance to make high-profile visit to Greenland as Trump clings to annexation idea

WASHINGTON – Ms Usha Vance, the wife of US Vice-President J.D. Vance, will travel to Greenland on March 27 as US President Donald Trump clings to the idea of a US annexation of the strategic, semi-autonomous Danish territory.

She will visit Greenland with a US delegation to tour historical sites, learn about the territory’s heritage and attend a national dog sled race meeting, the White House said in a statement. The delegation will return to the US on March 29.

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will visit a US military base in Greenland as part of the trip, a US official said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Trump has

made the proposed US annexation of Greenland a major talking point

since taking office for a second time on Jan 20. Greenland’s strategic location and rich mineral resources could benefit the US. It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the US ballistic missile warning system.

The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to such a move.

The Greenlandic government, which currently is in a caretaker period after

a March 11 general election

won by a party that favours a slow approach to independence from Denmark, did not reply to requests for comments.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment reacting to news of the visit that “this is something we take seriously”. She said Denmark wants to cooperate with the US, but it should be cooperation based on “the fundamental rules of sovereignty”.

She added that the dialogue with the US regarding Greenland would take place in close coordination with the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government. REUTERS